Rain and Messy Conditions Force Lay Day for Billabong Girls Pro Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Monday, September 15, 2008) - Stormy surf in the five foot (1.5 metre) range was on offer this morning at Barra da Tijuca in Rio De Janeiro, but heavy rains and onshore winds forced event organizers at the Billabong Girls Pro Rio to call another lay day today.

Event No. 4 of 8 on the 2008 ASP Women's World Tour, the Billabong Girls Pro Rio has completed three rounds of competition with the Quarterfinals up first event competition resumes. Event organizers and competitors scouted the backup location at nearby Macumba Beach this morning, but opted to return to the main site at Barra da Tijuca before calling competition off.

"We have messy conditions today so we're planning to come back around 10am tomorrow to make another call," Richie Porta, ASP Women's World Tour Head Judge, said. "Forecasts tomorrow are projecting slightly less win with similar swell size in the five foot (2 metre) range and we're hoping to resume competition then."